FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Airman spots a fuel leak at 35,000 feet
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Old May 18, 2009 | 2:16 pm
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skywalkerLAX
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Originally Posted by aluminumdriver
No, they're not trained in fuel leaks, and neither are most passengers. If it looked like something to worry about, then I would assume they'd pass it up to us. Most of the time, they get the "there's a fuel leak" and it's a contrail and they point it out and move on. Any fuel leak that is a danger to the jet, we'd notice it up front with our fuel gages and warning system for the most part.
You leave it up to a FA to determine if it looks like "something to worry about"

Talking about technical issues of an airplane and not coffee spilled on someones pants I would say this is a bit too much trust. "I would assume they pass it on..." speaks the same language.

I have seen FAs (especially intercontinental) that cant even read the manifest without extra strong glasses. To investigate the wing from a distance and relying on their expertise is a little risky IMHO.
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